Who is the man who makes a complicated French dish and videotapes it at the same time? Shaft? No! Moi! Tonight I made Boeuf Bourguignon from The Barefoot Contessa’s new cookbook: “Barefoot in Paris.” It came out looking thusly: The broth was great but the beef was a little underseasoned. I seasoned it, but apparently…

Saturday night (which was last night) my friend Jason and I went to dinner at Otto, Mario Batali’s pizza restaurant one block north of Washington Square Park.I have to say that the technical aspect of our meal–meaning the reservation making–was really enjoyable. I called before we went and they had one table left at 6:15.…

‘Tis the season to be jolly and there’s no jolly without eating and there’s no eating without cookbooks. Hence my idea for the first ever (as far as I know) internet-wide literary-food-gift-exchange program entitled THE AMATEUR GOURMET’S SECRET COOKBOOK SANTA. (All caps adds to the festivity.) With the help of Andrea, our Amateur Gourmet survivor…

Here Lisa and I present a sweet and serious song about our dinner at Chennai Garden. Our thanks to The Association.Indy (An).

Kirk, Diana and I went tonight to see the new Neil Labute play, “Fat Pig”:Before I get into the play itself and the issues it raises, I must share something exciting that happened. While waiting to go in, Neil Labute himself came into the lobby. Diana and I pushed Kirk to introduce himself because Kirk,…

Do yourself a favor and follow this link to Feeding Dexygus Seconds’s recipe post featuring Chez Panisse Gingersnaps (featured a few days ago on kottke.org.) I made them for school yesterday and EVERYONE loved them. Two camps developed, however. One batch came out chewier than the other batch. According to the link, the cookies should…

I have made it a point this past week to go not once but twice to the Union Square Farmer’s Market for fresh apple cider:This is the year of the apple, apparently. I have heard from various sources that apples have never been better. The proof is in the cider–and the cider at the Union…

Kirk recommended it. James Felder took the pictures. I contributed clout and prestige to the dining party. It was Monday night and the three of us went, after class, to Peep in SoHo.Why is it called Peep?Simple answer which Kirk explained. The bathroom has a one-way mirror so that while you pee (and/or do other…

Check out the new feature on the upper left corner. I made this for those of you that e-mail me asking for help only to have me either (a) ignore you, or (b) write you back with my proverbial hands in the air. Now the Amateur Gourmet community can help YOU with your kitchen needs.…

When I got back from Florida last night and I was cranky and tired and hungry for something sweet, I defrosted the shortbread dough that I froze a few weeks back. I’ve never defrosted dough before: it’s a tricky process. I basically stuck it in the microwave and nuked it for 15 seconds, felt it,…